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Sunday, January 6, 2013

I have come to the conclusion that Leavenworth, WA. is one of the most magical places on earth. If you haven't heard of it, it's a little town that is built to look like a small bavarian village. It's amazing at Christmas. One of the Christmas presents we were treated to this year, was a Sleigh ride in Leavenworth, given to us by my brother and his wife this year. Yesterday they treated us to lunch, and then we went to the farm that provides the sleigh rides, complete with handmade sleighs, large draft horses, and jingle bells. The atmosphere was perfect with fluffy falling snowflakes as we rode around. It was amazingly beautiful, and we all enjoyed it so much. Afterward, we sipped hot cocoa in a tee-pee while warming up around a wood stove. We then went back to town where we walked around in the bavarian village. The kids went sledding, while I wandered in some adorable little shops. I never have enough time when I go to this town, and I have decided that in a few years, when the kids are bigger, I am going to take them all for a 4 day trip there around Christmas time. We will then have time to explore the entire village while taking in the sights and sounds of Christmas. Picture a Christmas town filled with bright twinkling lights everywhere you look, and music playing on every street corner, with horses and carriages wandering past, and happy people milling around. It is pure heaven in my estimation, and I just need more time there. Thankfully, I just booked a two night stay at my favorite bed and breakfast there for next December, and will have some of this time, but I am very much looking forward to a few more years down the road when I can take all the kids for a longer trip, where they can join in on the fun as well. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited to get away next year, but it's always fun to see the kids enjoying themselves as well. We are so thankful that we were given such a fun, meaningful gift, and most of all I love that we made some memories at one of my favorite places on earth. We are blessed!

We are a christian adoptive family! God has pieced together our family in a way that is more beautiful than anything I could have imagined! We have adopted internationally, as well as through the US foster care system, but most importantly we have all been adopted by God! Ephesians 1:5 says "God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ".
We live on a small hobby farm, and homeschool our six children. Life is full!

My first miracle born in 2001. After giving birth to her, I realized that being a mother was the best job out there, and children are a miracle and precious gift from God. She is a true country girl at heart. Horses are her passion. She is an amazing big sister to her 5 little siblings!

Adopted from China in 2007.
Her sweet spirit fills our home with beauty and love. She is our little dancer, and introduced me to the world of recitals, dance practices, tutu's and ballet! Most of all, her love for Jesus shines bright, and even at her young age, she has a passion for orphan care and missions. These are subjects she talks and prays about on a daily basis! Can't wait to see where the Lord takes this girl!

Adopted from U.S. foster care, July 2013.
God's surprises never cease to amaze me. He is Laney's full sibling who came to live with us in Nov. 2011. Our son since the day he arrived. This is the sweetest boy you will ever meet.

Adopted from U.S. foster care November 2011.
Words cannot describe the joy this precious pumpkin brings to our lives! Another sweet miracle fromt the Lord. She was our first foster baby, arriving at the age of 7 weeks. We were blessed to adopt her in November of 2011. She refers to herself as a princess, and is also a lover of kittens, books, and dancing. I guess many more dance practices and recitals are in our future, lol!

Adopted from U.S. foster care, July 2013.
She was our second foster child who came home from the hospital at one week old. She livens up our days with her endless energy and strong will! It has been such a joy to see her and Austin have the chance to be together as brother and sister, and they definately have a bond that makes my heart smile!

Adopted from U.S. foster care July 2013. What a surprise it was to see that the little boy I pictured in my mind, who only the Lord would know, was actually in need of a forever family! Another miraculous gift from the Lord. He arrived at 4 mos. of age in Oct. 2011. Cute as can be with a contagious laugh and smile.